The **New** Swan and Dolphin Resort thread ~ April 2012 ~ Please read post #1

[ahutton]

Wonderful, thanks! I am fine with going into Picabu, I love that place!

 

[amberpi]

So we will be at the Dolphin in 39 days for 2 nights pre-cruise...so excited! We have stayed at the Dolphin before, but it was 3 years ago and are so happy to be going back.

I do have a couple of questions that I'm hoping somebody can answer:

1) Do they still have S'mores on the beach? We had them when we were there last time and it was one of our favorite memories...making s'mores with our kiddos, swinging in the hammock, and letting them play on the playground.

2) We went to Shula's a couple months ago for our anniversary and loved it! While we loved the entire meal, we were hoping that we could just get the tomato/mozz salad and the french onion soup to go? Does anyone know if we can do that? If we could get that while the kiddos ate burgers from The Fountain, all would be good in the world. LOL

3) If #2 is not possible, I know that Camp Dolphin for the kids is always available. Do they give a discount if you are eating at one of the signature restaurants, like Shula's?

4) We have family cruising with us that will be staying at an off-property hotel and they thought it would be nice to come and hang out Friday night at the hotel with us. Would they have to pay the full $15 for self-parking?

5) Is there a place IN the hotel (besides a room) where you can view Illuminations? I know you can see it from The Boardwalk area. What about if you walk to the back entrance of Epcot by the turnstiles, but don't enter the park? Is that a good view? Or are we just better off viewing it from The Boardwalk?

6) My DH wants to know if there are really rooms at the top of the "triangle"? I told him probably, but I'd ask here...someone is bound to know. What kind of room is up there?

7) We are bringing cereal and bananas for breakfast. I know that there is a sundries shop, but do they have a 1/2 gallon of milk that we could buy and put in the fridge in our room? And is the fridge cold enough to keep it cold?

There are suites at the very top of the pyramid. We got upgraded there in 2010. The view of the shell fountain was freaking amazing.

Yes, they have milk and the fridge will definitely keep it cold.

Enjoy!

 

[NancyIL]

Can someone give me a little info about Christmas-time (first week of December) at the Dolphin. Planning a trip for December 2013 and really, REALLY considering the Dolphin because it's a heck of lot cheaper than BC. Does the Dophin decorate and are there any other activities or things holiday related not to miss at the S&D? Thanks.

Both the Swan and Dolphin decorate for Christmas. The Dolphin has a beautiful tree in the lobby, and the Swan has a lovely scene with Santa filling the stockings by the fireplace - done in chocolate! I'm sure Dan Murphy can pull up some of those photos for you.

There are holiday activities for kids, but I don't recall when in December they begin. They may be only on the weekends.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I'm so excited that DH and I will be back at Dolphin soon to celebrate our sweet 16th anniversary! I have read many pages, but still have a question that a DISfriend might be able to answer. I saw that there are two types of refillable mugs, one for cold and a different one for hot. In the first post it indicates the one for cold can't be used for coffee.

If you buy the one that is ok for hot, can it also be used for cold? I don't know that I can drink enough of one to justify a cup, but if I can use it for hot and cold it might make sense.


Also - has anyone ordered a cake or something for an anniversary? I would like to surprise DH but am not sure what options we might have at the resort.

Nice to see you ahutton.

You can order just about anything from the S/D. They do have a wonderful in-house bake shop. You can use this once registered, or phone.

http://www.swandolphinconcierge.com/public/login.cfm

Can someone give me a little info about Christmas-time (first week of December) at the Dolphin. Planning a trip for December 2013 and really, REALLY considering the Dolphin because it's a heck of lot cheaper than BC. Does the Dophin decorate and are there any other activities or things holiday related not to miss at the S&D? Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnCOtiHKpqs


http://www.santasfavoriteresort.com/

If you wanted to sort through some picture threads, I know I have a lot in here......

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=815678

 

[jnfr2424]

Both the Swan and Dolphin decorate for Christmas. The Dolphin has a beautiful tree in the lobby, and the Swan has a lovely scene with Santa filling the stockings by the fireplace - done in chocolate! I'm sure Dan Murphy can pull up some of those photos for you.

There are holiday activities for kids, but I don't recall when in December they begin. They may be only on the weekends.

I have to add that they scent both hotels with scent of Gingerbread!

 

[onlyafigment]

You are supposed to get a card every day you don't have housekeeping, and it will be slipped under your door. I redeem mine at checkout for 500 Starwood points per card.

Supposed to? Does it not always work out that way?

And do you miss getting a voucher for the every 4th day housekeeping is automatic?

I've seen people mention you have to call reception to opt in/out - the Starwood website implies you get a door hanger for this, is this not the case at the Swolphin?

Apologies for all the questions, just trying to get my head round it!

 

[bas71873]

Both the Swan and Dolphin decorate for Christmas. The Dolphin has a beautiful tree in the lobby, and the Swan has a lovely scene with Santa filling the stockings by the fireplace - done in chocolate! I'm sure Dan Murphy can pull up some of those photos for you.

There are holiday activities for kids, but I don't recall when in December they begin. They may be only on the weekends.

Nice to see you ahutton.

You can order just about anything from the S/D. They do have a wonderful in-house bake shop. You can use this once registered, or phone.

http://www.swandolphinconcierge.com/public/login.cfm



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnCOtiHKpqs


http://www.santasfavoriteresort.com/

If you wanted to sort through some picture threads, I know I have a lot in here......

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=815678

I have to add that they scent both hotels with scent of Gingerbread!

Thanks you guys. You've just pushed me over the fence. I'm booking our December 2013 stay at the Dolphin when we return next week. We are headed to FL today for our Sea World/Discovery Cove trip, but I'm planning to spend an evening at the Boardwalk one night to check things out. THANKS!!!

 

[NancyIL]

Supposed to? Does it not always work out that way?

And do you miss getting a voucher for the every 4th day housekeeping is automatic?

I've seen people mention you have to call reception to opt in/out - the Starwood website implies you get a door hanger for this, is this not the case at the Swolphin?

Apologies for all the questions, just trying to get my head round it!

You used to have to call every evening when you didn't want housekeeping the next day. Now one phone call takes care of the whole thing (3 days no housekeeping/1 day housekeeping). It isn't a perfect system, and occasionally I didn't get a card when I should've, or housekeeping came on a day I wasn't expecting. (You won't get a card on the days housekeeping cleans your room.)

The last time I made the "green choice" at the Swan was in April, and there was no door hanger. I stayed at the Swan 3 weeks ago with 2 of my kids, and I did want housekeeping every day. I didn't see a door hanger in the room, but maybe one would've been put on the door if I had chosen to skip housekeeping.

 

[robinbutterfly]

You are supposed to get a card every day you don't have housekeeping, and it will be slipped under your door. I redeem mine at checkout for 500 Starwood points per card.

So if we get 5 dollars for not having housekeeping,can we redeem it at the end of the week and they credit our account ?

 

[NancyIL]

So if we get 5 dollars for not having housekeeping,can we redeem it at the end of the week and they credit our account ?

You can ask at the front desk, but the $5/day is intended to be used towards the cost of food and beverage at the resort. I prefer 500 Starwood points per day.

 

[ahutton]

Nice to see you ahutton.

]

Great to see you too Dan! I'm hoping we'll get to cross paths there. Milo and Mrs. Milo will be with the kids. DH and I are excited about this trip. It is our first ever solo venture down there!

 

[diskids2]

Does anyone know if rooms become available once a convention has them tied up?

We are going 3-21 - 3-29 and the Dolphin is sold out on 3-25-26 because of two large conventions. We are booked at the Swan and I am very happy with that, but would really love an Alcove room. Swan alcove's won't work because they are a king bed with sleeper sofa and I have four in the room and don't want anyone on the sleeper sofa. Dolphin has 2Q Deluxe Alcoves, but as mentioned, they are sold out for my stay. My dates aren't flexible as it is Spring Break for my DS, 17.

Just curious if anyone has experienced or knows of a timeframe when "held rooms" might or might not be released. Are they ever?

 

[rh3772]

Does anyone know if the Swan and Dolphin does anything for Halloween?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Does anyone know if the Swan and Dolphin does anything for Halloween?

Scan down to Oct.....

http://swandolphin.com/holidayplace/

 

[vbarry]

Hi everyone! Well we decided to head back to WDW during Xmas this year. We are DVC members and have a few points for our first few nights. I was racking my brain on where to stand that is affordable. Then...the Swan Dolphin occurred to me! We would check in on December 24 and spend Christmas there! So..... it looks like the Dolphin is more for families and we have two girls. There are a lot of room options so I need your opinion. Is the Epcot room a view of Boardwalk/Epcot? Can you see the fireworks?? Worth the extra cost? My only problem is the Dolphin has smaller beds YIKES..... Where is the Swan in location to the Boardwalk?

Thanks for any assistance!

 

[TaraPA]

Does anyone know if rooms become available once a convention has them tied up?

Just curious if anyone has experienced or knows of a timeframe when "held rooms" might or might not be released. Are they ever?

DH attends a lot of conferences at S/D (actually he will be at one while you are there!) Check every day because yes they will release any rooms not needed closer to your dates. I'm not positive but I think last year for that same convention, he had to have his room booked by March 1st...so you may have to wait til much closer for something to open up.

Hi everyone! Well we decided to head back to WDW during Xmas this year. We are DVC members and have a few points for our first few nights. I was racking my brain on where to stand that is affordable. Then...the Swan Dolphin occurred to me! We would check in on December 24 and spend Christmas there! So..... it looks like the Dolphin is more for families and we have two girls. There are a lot of room options so I need your opinion. Is the Epcot room a view of Boardwalk/Epcot? Can you see the fireworks?? Worth the extra cost? My only problem is the Dolphin has smaller beds YIKES..... Where is the Swan in location to the Boardwalk?

Thanks for any assistance!

From an Epcot View room you will see out over the top of Epcot (with Boardwalk to your right), and you will be able to see the high fireworks. Keep in mind though that Illuminations takes place on the water inside Epcot, therefore you will not be able to see most of the show from your room.

I personally don't think the view is worth the extra cost but that's just my opinion. We're not in the room a whole lot to worry about what we see out the window, and once you stpe outside of The Dolphin you're immersed in Disney!

The Swan is right aside of The Boardwalk, with a canal in between separating them. Distance-wise The Swan is a few hundred yards closer to The Boardwalk than The Dolphin, but it's nothing I'd choose The Swan over The Dolphin for. It's really just a few steps between Swan & Dolphin, taking less than a minute to go between the two.

 

[J'aime Paris]

I know we cannot use mugs from previous trips at the WDW resorts. Does that same policy apply at the Dolphin?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hi everyone! Well we decided to head back to WDW during Xmas this year. We are DVC members and have a few points for our first few nights. I was racking my brain on where to stand that is affordable. Then...the Swan Dolphin occurred to me! We would check in on December 24 and spend Christmas there! So..... it looks like the Dolphin is more for families and we have two girls. There are a lot of room options so I need your opinion. Is the Epcot room a view of Boardwalk/Epcot? Can you see the fireworks?? Worth the extra cost? My only problem is the Dolphin has smaller beds YIKES..... Where is the Swan in location to the Boardwalk?

Thanks for any assistance!

Relationship of S/D to BW.

http://binged.it/RqV6KS

I know we cannot use mugs from previous trips at the WDW resorts. Does that same policy apply at the Dolphin?

As far as I know, they are reusable.

 

[J'aime Paris]

Thank you for the quick reply!!

 

[My3Princez]

I know we cannot use mugs from previous trips at the WDW resorts. Does that same policy apply at the Dolphin?

Are the mugs at Swan/Dolphin different than the other Disney Resorts? We've never been to S/D so trying to learn what I can before our trip.